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We have a Magic Chef clothes washer that is aprox. 15 plus years old. We recently moved into a new place and installed our trusty washer. To my suprise the cold water cycle that my wife uses most all of the time didn't work. The hot water cycle worked fine but wouldn't switch over to the cold cycle. I checked all the normal hook up stuff, cold water outlet to cold water inlet and hot water outlet to hot water inlet. Also checked the hoses for flow and the little screen filters on the inlets for mineral particules and dirt. I also took the back panel off and checked for loose, shorted, or unpluged wires. Is there a solenoid that has to switch over when the cold water is demanded? If so where is it located and is it worth replacing?--Thanks--Ray
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** Is there a solenoid that has to switch over when the cold water is demanded? **
No but there are separate solenoids on the machine's water fill valve, one for the hot and another for the cold.
You can read about the water valves on appliances work at the following link:
- How do I test water fill valves?
LINK > http://www.appliance411.com/links/jump.cgi?ID=801
** If so where is it located and is it worth replacing? **
The water valve is usually on the back of the machine and is what the fill hoses screw onto. You can not usually get parts of them, just a whole replacement water valve. Water valves are not usually that expensive but it will depend on the exact model of Magic Chef washer you have and what parts it uses.
You can read about how to get the proper replacement parts for your appliances in the 'Repair Parts' section of my web site linked below.
JFYI
Dan O.
The Appliance Information Site
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Thanks for the outstanding reply Dan, I will trouble shoot this Monday. The information is great! I will let you know what I come up with. --RayComment
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Let us know how you make out.
Dan O.
The Appliance Information Site
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The part has been ordered and on its way will let you know the outcome. --Thanks again--RayComment
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Dan, recieved the "water valve" today and installed it. The problem is still there after installing the new part. I got the volt meter out and checked the switch behind the panel. The switch is actually a long bus bar full of male terminals. When the "energy saver" {cold water} buttons are pushed in the terminals have no readings at all. There are two cold water or "energy saver" buttons. When the regular warm cycle is pushed I get a 110 volt reading. Is there suppose to be a reading at the cold water terminals to energize the solenoid at the water valve? I should of taken these readings before jumping to conclusions. Kinda of like "shutting the barn door after the cow got out." Thanks, waiting for your reply. RayComment
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Dan, Update: Well I feel kind of embarrassed to admit what I found but I end up telling on myself all the time. The washer is working just fine. The cold water pressure was not on. Come to find out the cold water source has double shut off valves one at the valve where the washer hose hooks up and one behind the false wall which was in the off position. In the begining of this project I thought I had water pressure at the cold water hose. I guess all I saw was just the trapped water leaking out that was between the two shut off valves not thinking to feel for pressure. Heck I was on to more serious problems! It always pays to check the obvious first. Plus my wife asked me if I had any cold water pressure. Thanks so much for your inputs. At least I know I have a good water valve.-Regards,RayComment
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Glad to hear you found the problem. Thanks for the follow up.
Dan O.
The Appliance Information Site
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Raymond: If that is the worst mistake you ever made, you are way ahead of most of us! Nobody got hurt; it didn't cost you a ton of money!
Thanks for keeping us posted on your results.Comment
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Believe me, it's not the first and no doubt won't be the last mistake I make. But I am glad it was a small one. Thanks for the reply and of course I will be using "homerepairforum" in more of my projects. Thanks to all of you--RayComment
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